27th- 29th

On Thursday we didn't do much. we stayed inside and chilled. At night we watched the movie dictator which was really funny. On Friday we went to Vaasa and shopped. I hit up the sales and got some nice new clothes and shoes then we had kebab and watched the hobbit which was a really good movie. We came home, and played games and then watched the avengers. On the Saturday we all woke up late. I woke up at 11 and made mac n cheese. Then we just chilled all day. Essi the second eldest daughter left at around . Alexsi( brother), Jonas( cousin) and I have been playing games all day. At midnight we went and got kebab and are now playing black ops.

25th and 26th

umm well yesterday was Christmas and we went to Seinäjoki to have dinner with my host father's sister and her family. The dinner was great and we relaxed for a while then went sledding. That was an interesting experience for me. I ate it soo much. Today the 26th I went to my first family for dinner. It as fun and I got to see the whole family including the eldest daughters and there husband and kids. The eldest just has a baby girl a couple weeks a go and she is soo cute. Her name is Soma which means cute. I came home and have played xbox, and watched movies with my sisters and brother. I just got done playing SingStar( I failed). Now I am writing this and waiting to watch Star War with the second eldest daughter and my brother. Should be a fun night.

The weekend and Christmas eve

Ok umm on Saturday my package didn't arrive which made me sad. Yet I did go shopping all day in Vaasa with my host brother and Eldest sister. That was fun. Sunday I didn't do much. Cleaned a lot. Went ice skating by my house( I failed). I also helped make mustard( which went on the ham today). Today was Christmas Eve. Today is the big day in Finland. I helped clan some more, and also helped get stuff ready for the meal. At around 3 everyone started to arrive. There was of course our family, My host dads sister's family, grandmother and my host brothers girlfriend. We laughed and drank a Finnish drink called Golgi( the o has two dots over it). Then I read from he bible( tradition for Finns) then we ate. The food was good. Had a carrot and then a turnip casserole, cheesy veggies, salmon, baked ham with a mustard- bread crumb covering, potato's, and gravy. Then for dessert we had a like coffee chocolate vanilla dish my eldest host sister made. It was really good and tasted like jamocha almond fudge. Then we opened gifts. I go a lot so I wont name them, But it was a good Christmas. I did receive a lot of chocolate which will probably last me until next week( a normal person a year). Then we had coffee and people left. A little later on we went to the cemetery to put candles on the grave of my host father's father and brother. It was a beautiful sight with candles on every grave. There was even a place where you could put candles for family who has passed elsewhere. I wish I would have bought a couple to place for my aunt and nephew. Then came home and exchanged a couple more special gifts for us fam. Then watched a movie( brave) in Finnish and drank Swiss mix coco( a gift). Now I am getting ready for bed. Night.

Tuesday the 18th-Friday the 21st

Well I have been having issues with my blog so I'm sorry for being so slow. I didn't do much on Tuesday except have to sing in school. Wednesday day was a long day because it is my most full day of the week. Thursday was a boring day but good. I went and got a haircut so now I'm not a long haired hippie any more. Um Friday( today) was supposed to be the end of the world but it wasn't( what a shock) and It was a good day. Kinda slow but good. I wore off and on a st of reindeer antlers that light up and play we wish you a merry Christmas and a red flashing nose. I got home early today because we were let out early and Then I took a small nap. Awoke and found only my dad home. My mom and sister when to another town. So I made dinner( messed it up) and also helped his clear rooms and remove flooring( moving the dog into my sisters room and sister into the dogs). Skyped with my parents and now I am getting ready for bed. Tomorrow I have to go to the church to listen to a concert for school. Also my package from home should be here tomorrow so lets hope it does or else a bunch of people arn't getting gifts until after Christmas. Also it is currently -13 or -15( heard them both) degrees Celsius out side. which is either 8 or 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Monday the 17th

well today was a good day. School went fine( except I had to walk to school because my bike was messed up). Before school I sent some letters and post cards to the family( yes mom I sent you the SD card). I didn't have math because our teacher is sick which is a rarity. After school I slept a little then got ready for the Rotary Christmas party. That started at 7 and was very formal. I was dressed up with a blue dress shirt, blue tie, tan slacks, and my blazer. It was to formal for my liking but I enjoyed seeing all the Rotarian's. It lasted for two hours. We had some food, coffee and some entertainment. I got a lift home from one of the Rotarian's and had a nice talk on the way. Came home, showered and am now getting ready for bed. Good night.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Well I haven't posted because blogger wasn't working right but here I am now. Thursday was a pretty uneventful day except I accidentally slept in late and missed my math class. Friday was a good day. Was supposed to go bowling but instead we played floor ball because the teacher couldn't get buses. My feat hurt really bad after that. Got home , walked the dog, the later went to a concert that some kids put on. Was really nice. Saturday I spent all day in Helsinki shopping. Bought a flag, the book Kalevala, a post card and some American stuff.  I ate at the Fazer cafe and then later at Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut was different but really good. Then on Sunday I went and cut down a tree( which was awesome). Then later went to a concert and skyped with my family. I am currently writing this blog while also writing post cards and letters to family. Tomorrow is school( last week before Christmas) and then that night a rotary Christmas party. Kinda nervous but excited.

Tuesday the 12th and Wednesday the 13th

Well yesterday was good. Gave a presentation to the school about my life, and my exchange. Today was a really boring day. It started at 6:30 when I woke up. I didn't sleep well so I was really tired. I had math at 7:40 then a break. Two periods of history then music. Lunch was fish soup so I only ate a little. After lunch there was a debate but I didn't go because I wouldn't understand it. I instead read my history book( in English). Then I had two health classes and went home. I ate dinner with my host dad then we played pool. He beat me both times. Now I am gettin ready to shower and go to bed. Long boring day tomorrow. Wish me luck. Also if any of you would like to send me a letter for Christmas that would be great. Address is museonranntie 7. Laihia 66400 Finland.

Sunday he 9th and Monday the 10th

Ok well on Sunday I was shopping ALL day. We went to a huge store that is like Costco but you can buy individual products. It was incredible. Had almost everything. Key word almost. They didn't have Finnish flags or any cool snowmen. I got some new cloths which was nice. Monday was a school day. Was the first day of the new course I have been to because it started while I was in Lapland. It was an interesting day. Music class is gonna be fun though ha ha. I can't play guitar or sing and next week we have to sing Christmas songs... in Finnish.....ha ha. I came home and did laundry then tried to take a nap but failed. So then I started copying what I missed in History and then ate dinner and finished it. Then I made sure my PowerPoint I made was good. Tomorrow is a International day and I have to give a presentation about my life and my exchange. Should be interesting. But now I am off to sleep.

Saturday the 8th

Well last couple of days have been slow and boring and stress full. Got in a little trouble with rotary( no biggy). It's getting worked out. Then Other then that haven't done much except work on a PowerPoint for school. Today I was gonna go to a football practice then found out my insurance doesn't cover it so I was gonna go and get my pads, meet the kids, and watch but my councilor said I cant even do that. How I found this was first he told my Host mother via facebook then called her. Meanwhile I called him and he 1) didn't answer and 2) didn't call. That really really made me angry. But then my host mom and sister and I went to Vaasa and met up with some other family and went shopping. The rest of the day was devoted to relaxing and working on the PowerPoint. Also tonight( tomorrow morning for me) is the annual Army vs Navy football game. All I got to say is GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!!!!!!

Lapland Tour

Well I just got home from a week long rotary tour. All exchange students In Finland and Estonia( with a few exceptions) went to the North of Finland which is known as Lapland. It was absolutely amazing. It started off with a 10 hour bus ride to Muonio Finland where we stayed. Then on the day we got there we went skiing/ Snowboarding. I did cross country. The second day we skied. The skiing was great and I learned to enjoy cross country.We also went to a local school and watched a band play and some plays then each country presented an act. The Americans did Jingle Bell Rock. Then we went back to the hotel. On we split up. Two buses went to a museum/ national park along with a Lapp house and we got to feed reindeer. The national park was beautiful. Oh to tell you about the weather it was snowy and cold all week. But it made it look like a winter scene from a movie. Was breathtaking. At the Lapp house we learned about Lapp culture a little and fed reindeer. We learned that their are NO wild reindeer in Finland. then we all went back for lunch. During our lunch break a few of us decided to make colored water balloons( food dye, water, and balloons) then freeze them. They turned out really cool( pics coming later). Then we split again. My bus and another went to the huskies and reindeer. We got to go on a dog sled ride( which was awesome) then a reindeer sleigh ride. Then we snow shooed back. We ate dinner then chilled. We then went and had a little party and the Oldies( ones who've been here for a long time) passed down gifts. It was a really emotional time. Then we danced some more then slept. On Tuesday we packed up and headed for Santa land and Rovennimi. We got to meet Santa and see his elves then had an amazing lunch in Rovennimi. That was last time we will see a lot of the oldies and the last time we may see other newbies if they don't go on other tours. There was lots of hugging and some crying. The bus ride home was a lot of fun and felt fast. I got dropped off at Vaasa at 0:10 or 12:10 . Came home and slept. Then when I woke up I was sad. I feel closer to all these kids some of whom I've only known for a week then I do with a lot of people back home. It's life changing.